TNAG-1567-FCO40-2132-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 99

i) an endorsement in the BN(0) passport making clear that the holder

could visit here without a visa or entry certificate;

ii)

British citizenship for ex-servicemen;

7.

iii)

British citizenship for those British Dependent Territories citizens

whe

who were not ethnically Chinese and if they had no other form of

citizenship might risk statelessness after 1997.

None of these requests was easy. Each raised difficult questions about the

size of the commitment we were being asked to take on and how the commitment should

be defined and there was the ever-present problem of entering into a commitment

now which might look very different in 10 or more years time.

8.

Nevertheless, we wanted to be helpful and recognised the importance of showing

that we were prepared to listen to and respond to the views of the Legislative

Council, and of course Parliament. So we have met two of the three requests.

Frankly, Hong Kong attached greatest importance to the endorsement, and they

recognise the value of what we have done for them there.

9.

The ethnic minority problem is difficult. We recognised the emotional force

of the arguments in favour of giving British citizenship. But the danger of giving

an uncertain commitment is too great. And the reality is that it is not needed.

10.

The facts are these:

i)

every Hong Kong British Dependent Territories citizen will have the right

to be a British National (Overseas);

ii)

iii)

if any does not apply for any reason, and has no other nationality, he

will automatically be a British Overseas citizen; and the children and

grandchildren of former British Dependent Territories citizens facing

statelessness will also be able to be British Overseas citizens;

so there is no question of any Hong Kong British Dependent Territories

citizen becoming stateless (even for one day!) and we have also given

firm commitments to future generations.

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